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WIC to 5
Pocket Guide for Health Care
Providers
Table of Contents
The WIC to 5 Program ............................................................................................................................... 1
The Importance of Retention ..................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction to WIC ................................................................................................................................... 3
Description of WIC Benefits...................................................................................................................... 5
WIC Service Timelines for Women, Infants and Children ........................................................................ 7
WIC Monthly Food Packages for Women ................................................................................................. 8
WIC Monthly Food Packages for Infants .................................................................................................. 9
WIC Monthly Food Package for Children ................................................................................................10
Well-Visit Communication .......................................................................................................................11
Screening Tool ..........................................................................................................................................18
The WIC to 5 Program
The Illinois Department of Human Services
(IDHS) WIC Special Supplemental Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (Illinois
WIC), is partnering with faculty at University
of Illinois at Chicago, Department of
Kinesiology and Nutrition (UIC-KN) to launch
a new program called “WIC to 5”.
Description of the program
 The purpose of “WIC to 5” is to increase
WIC participation and retention among
eligible children in Illinois.
 Interviews and surveys were conducted with
over 100 WIC clients, WIC staff, child care
providers, and health care providers to
identify the major barriers and facilitators
related to WIC participation and to inform
the development of the program.
 The “WIC to 5” initiative includes a social
marketing campaign, WIC staff training and
outreach, and strategic partnerships with
health care providers and child care
providers, as well as other community
partners that serve low-income women and
children across the state.
 Partners include the Illinois Chapter of
American Academy of Pediatrics and Illinois
Academy of Family Physicians.
1
The Importance of Retention
What can Healthcare Providers
do?
Did you know that there has been a decline is
WIC participation since 2009? The USDA
estimated that 85% of eligible infants
participated in WIC in 2010. However, only
52% of eligible children ages 1-4 were enrolled
in the program.
 Learn more about WIC. This booklet
contains a basic overview of the program,
services, timeline, and food package.
 Incorporate the included questions and
anticipatory guidance about WIC into your
normal well visit conversations.
 Talk with clients about their concerns around
being judged or treated differently.
 Create packets to organize necessary
paperwork so clients are ready when they go
in for their WIC appointments.
 Provide WIC brochures in your office to
share with patients.
 Hang WIC posters providing eligibility info
and patient benefits.
 Communicate and coordinate with WIC
providers about new ideas and trends.
There are many barriers to WIC retention:
 Stigma associated with food and nutrition
assistance program participation
 Limited knowledge about the WIC program
and its services
 Conflicting information from different
sources
 Too much paperwork
 Uncoordinated provider efforts
2
Introduction to WIC
What is WIC?
WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition
education (including breastfeeding promotion
and support) and referrals to health and other
social services for participants at no charge.
Population served
The WIC target population is low-income,
nutritionally at risk:
¨ Pregnant women (through pregnancy and up
to 6 weeks after birth or after pregnancy
ends)
¨ Breastfeeding women (up to infant’s 1st
birthday)
¨ Non breastfeeding postpartum women (up to
6 months after the birth of an infant) or
after pregnancy ends
¨ Infants (up to 1st birthday), WIC serves 53%
of all infants born in the U.S.
¨ Children (up to 5th birthday), WIC serves
29% of all children ages 1-4 in the US.
¨ In Illinois, approximately 40 percent of all
babies born are on the WIC program.
¨ In 2010, Illinois spent $166,396,777 on WIC,
serving 307,201 participants.
Where is WIC available?
WIC benefits are available in all 102 Illinois
counties at more than 220 clinics, which
include:
 County health departments
 Community action agencies
 Hospitals
3
Participant Benefits
The following benefits are provided to WIC
participants:
 Vouchers to buy healthy foods
 Education about nutrition and health to help
their family eat well and be healthy
 Education and help with breastfeeding
 Help in finding health care and other services
in your area
Why WIC Matters
WIC participants have:
- Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels;
lower prevalence of childhood anemia1
-Increased iron density of all meals as
preschoolers2
-Decreased risk of household food insecurity 3
-Lower percentage of energy from added sugar
consumption in preschoolers2
4
-Increased nutrient consumption (protein, iron,
zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin E)4
-Increased consumption of lower fat dairy and
whole grains (post 2009 Food Package
change)56
References
1. Oliveira V, Frazão E. The WIC program: Background, trends, and economic
issues, 2009 edition. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ ERR73. . 2010.
2. Siega-Riz AM, Kranz S, Blanchette D, Haines PS, Guilkey DK, Popkin BM.
The effect of participation in the WIC program on preschoolers' diets. J
Pediatr. 2004;144(2):229-234. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2003.10.052.
3. Metallinos-Katsaras E, Gorman KS, Wilde P, Kallio J. A longitudinal study
of WIC participation on household food insecurity. Matern Child Health J.
2011;15(5):627-633. 10.1007/s10995-010-0616-5.
4. Rose D, Habicht JP, Devaney B. Household participation in the food stamp
and WIC programs increases the nutrient intakes of preschool children. J Nutr.
1998;128(3):548-555.
5. Whaley SE, Ritchie LD, Spector P, Gomez J. Revised WIC food package
improves diets of WIC families. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.
2012;44(3):204-209.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1499404611005744.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2011.09.011.
6. Odoms-Young AM, Kong A, Schiffer LA, et al. Evaluating the initial impact
of the revised special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and
children (WIC) food packages on dietary intake and home food availability in
african-american and hispanic families. Public Health Nutr. 2014;17(1):83-93.
10.1017/S1368980013000761 [doi].
Description of WIC Benefits
WIC Food Package
Since 2009, the monthly food package has
undergone revisions to better reflect the USDA
Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The goals
were focused on improving current health risks
such as obesity as well as catering to more
diverse populations and cultural food
preferences.
The first major revision occurred in 2009 and
included such changes as:
 Providing cash vouchers (up to $10) to
purchase fruits and vegetables, excluding
white potatoes
 Introducing whole grains
 Offering only reduced, low, or nonfat milk to
women and children ages 2-5
 Decreasing the quantities of juice, milk, and
eggs
 Allowing canned legumes instead of only
dried
 Enhancing the food package for
breastfeeding mothers and infants
Recent changes approved in 2014 include:
 Offering only low fat or nonfat milk to
women and children ages 2-5
 Allowing substitution of milk with yogurt
 Adding whole grain pasta to the whole grain
options
 Increasing the child fruit and vegetable
voucher to $8 a month
 Allowing substitution of some baby food
fruits and vegetables with cash vouchers to
purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for 9
month old infants.
5
WIC Client Services
Nutrition education has always been offered
through WIC and delivered by staff with
bachelors and graduate degrees in nutrition,
dietetics, and health education. All clients
receive nutrition education every 3 months
while in the program. Nutrition education can
be completed as individual education, group
education sessions, internet education, or selfstudy modules.
anthropometrics, hemoglobin, and dietary
assessment through a 24 hour dietary recall.
Based on the individual assessment, the
nutritionist provides education and counseling
and issues the food package to the client.
Follow-up visits occur every 1-3 months
according to the specific issues being observed.
Breastfeeding women receive additional
support through staff lactation specialists and
peer counselors.
Improvements to WIC’s nutrition education are
continuously being made. Over the past few
years, there has been an increasing emphasis on
participant centered learning and motivational
interviewing through-out the WIC experience.
WIC offices also provide referrals to other
health care and community resources such as
immunizations, dental care, child care, and
other government assistance programs.
At all certification visits, WIC nutritionists or
certified health professionals assess each
client’s nutrition risk. This assessment includes
The following tables provide a detailed
description of the food packages for each client
category as well as timing of service delivery.
6
WIC Service Timelines for Women, Infants and Children
Certification
Date
Nutrition
Education and
Follow-up
Mid-certification
Assessment
Termination Date
Pregnant Women
Any time during
pregnancy
1-3 month intervals
N/A
6 weeks postpartum
Postpartum Women
Date of delivery
1-3 month intervals
N/A
6 months
postpartum
Breastfeeding Women
Date of delivery
1-3 month intervals
6 months postpartum
with infant
1 year postpartum
Infants
Certification
Date
Date of birth
Nutrition
Education
Every 3 months
Mid-certification
Assessment
6 months
Any time after 1 year
up to 5th birthday
Every 3 months
6 months after
certification
Children
Termination Date
1 year
12 months after
certification until 5th
birthday
7
WIC Monthly Food Packages for Women
Food
Cow’s Milk1
Pregnant Women
5 gallons and 2 quarts
Postpartum Women
4 gallons
Breastfeeding Women
6 gallons
Key Nutrients
Protein, Calcium,
Vitamins D&A
Cheese
Eggs
Juice
Fruits &
Vegetables2
Breakfast
Cereals3
N/A
1 dozen
144 fl. oz. single strength
Cash value checks for $10
N/A
1 dozen
96 fl. oz. single strength
Cash value checks for $10
1 lb.
2 gallons
144 fl. oz. single strength
Cash value checks for $10
36 oz
36 oz
36 oz
Protein, Calcium
Protein
Vitamin C, Folate
Vitamins A, C, E; Fiber
Folate; Potassium;
Iron; B Vitamins; Folate;
Fiber; Zinc
Whole Grains4
1 lb
N/A
1 lb
Fish (canned)
N/A
N/A
30 oz.
Iron, B Vitamins, Zinc,
Fiber, Magnesium
Protein
Beans and
Peanut Butter
1 lb dried beans5 and 18 oz
peanut butter
1 lb dried beans or 18 oz
peanut butter
1 lb dried beans and 18 oz
peanut butter
Protein, Folate, B
Vitamins, Fiber
11%
or nonfat milk only; substitutions for cheese or yogurt available
Fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables
3 Ready-to-eat and instant and regular hot cereals
4 Whole wheat bread, soft corn tortillas, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, bulgur or barley
5 Or 4 - 16 oz canned beans
2
8
WIC Monthly Food Packages for Infants
Food
Fully Breastfed Infants
Fully Formula Fed Infants
Key Nutrients
0-5 Months
Infant Formula
Infant Formula
Infant Cereal
Baby Food
Fruits &
Vegetables
Baby Meats
N/A
See enhanced food package for breastfeeding
women
0-3 Months
823 fl. oz. reconstituted concentrate OR
832 fl. oz. ready-to-feed OR
870 fl. oz. reconstituted powder
4-5 Months
896 fl. oz. reconstituted concentrate OR
913 fl. oz. ready-to-feed OR
960 fl. oz. reconstituted powder
6-11 Months
N/A
630 fl. oz. reconstituted concentrate OR
See enhanced food package for breastfeeding
643 fl. oz. ready-to-feed OR
women
696 fl. oz. reconstituted powder
24 oz. Rice, oatmeal, barley or mixed grain
24 oz. Rice, oatmeal, barley or mixed grain
256 oz. OR (after 9 months) Cash value checks
128 oz. OR (after 9 months) Cash value checks
for up to $8 (fresh fruits and vegetables only) to
for up to $4 (fresh fruits and vegetables only) to
replace up to 128 oz. baby fruits and vegetables replace up to 64 oz. baby fruits and vegetables
77.5 oz plain with broth or gravy
N/A
All essential nutrients
All essential
nutrients
B Vitamins, Iron
Vitamins A, C & E;
Folate; Fiber;
Potassium
Protein, Iron
9
WIC Monthly Food Package for Children
Food
Cow’s Milk
Children ages 1-4 years of age
3 gallons and 1 quart
Only whole milk for 1-2 years olds
1% or non fat milk for 2-5 years old
1 quart of milk can be substituted for yogurt
Key Nutrients
Protein, Calcium, Vitamins D & A,
Folate, Riboflavin
Eggs
1 dozen
Protein
Beans and Peanut
Butter
1 lb dried beans or 4 - 16 oz canned beans or 18 oz peanut butter
Protein, Folate, B Vitamins, Fiber
Juice
Fruits & Vegetables
128 fl. oz. single strength
Cash value checks for $8 (fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables)
Breakfast Cereals
36 oz (ready-to-eat and instant and regular hot cereals)
Vitamin C, Folate
Vitamins A, C & E; Folate; Potassium;
Fiber
Iron; B Vitamins; Folate; Fiber; Zinc
Whole Grains
2 lbs (whole wheat bread, soft corn tortillas, whole wheat pasta, brown rice,
bulgur or barley)
Iron, B Vitamins, Zinc, Fiber,
Magnesium
10
Well-Visit Communication
Prenatal

Interview Questions




What have you heard about the WIC
program?
Have you ever participated in WIC?
Have you already signed up for the WIC
program? OR Do you think you might be
eligible for the WIC Program?
How are you planning to feed your baby?
Anticipatory Guidance


Eligibility criteria for WIC program (use
screener in pocket guide).
WIC provides food assistance, nutrition
education, and health care referrals to

pregnant and postpartum women, infants,
and children up to the age of 5.
Food package for pregnant women includes
milk, cereal, eggs, $10 voucher for fruits and
vegetables, whole grains (whole wheat
bread, brown rice, corn tortillas, oatmeal,
etc), peanut butter, beans, and juice.
Benefits of breastfeeding package for
women: receive more food, can participate
for longer period of time (until child is 12
months), and access to breastfeeding peer
counselors.
3-5 Days
Interview Questions

Did you sign up for WIC during your
pregnancy?
11


Have you notified your WIC office about
your child’s birth to get him certified?
How are you feeding your baby?
Breastfeeding or formula?
Anticipatory Guidance
For Parents of Breastfed Infants
 Benefits of breastfeeding package: receive
more food, can participate for longer period
of time (until child is 12 months), and access
to breastfeeding peer counselors.
 Food package for breastfeeding women:
Same foods as pregnancy plus cheese and
canned fish and more milk and eggs.
For Parents of Formula Fed Infants
 Food package for infants 0-3 months: ~840
fl. oz. of reconstituted liquid concentrate,
powder or ready to feed.
12


Food package for postpartum women: Same
foods as pregnancy except no whole grain
option and less juice and milk. Can receive
up to 6 months after delivery.
Foster and adoptive parents do not receive a
food package for themselves.
1 Month
Interview Questions



Have you gone in for your infant’s
certification visit?
Do you need a WIC certification form
completed at today’s visit? Immunization
record?
How are you feeding your baby?
Anticipatory Guidance
For Parents of Breastfed Infants
 WIC has breastfeeding resources such as
peer counselors and pump rentals to help
you continue breastfeeding.
2 Months
For Parents of Formula Fed Infants
 Food package for infants 4-5 months:
~900 fl. oz. of reconstituted liquid
concentrate, powder or ready to feed.
Interview Questions
6 Months

Interview Questions

Have you gone in for your infant’s
certification visit?
Do you need a WIC certification form
completed at today’s visit?
Anticipatory Guidance
For Parents of Breastfed Infants
 WIC has breastfeeding resources such as
peer counselors and pump rentals to help
you continue breastfeeding.


Have you gone in for your infant’s 6-month
follow-up visit at WIC?
What nutrition and feeding topics have you
learned about at WIC?
Anticipatory Guidance
For Parents of Breastfed Infants
13


Food package for breastfeeding infants:
infant cereal, baby food fruits and
vegetables, baby food meats
Baby food meats provide iron which is
important for breastfed infants.

Anticipatory Guidance

For Parents of Formula Fed Infants
 Food package for infants: ~650 fl. oz.
reconstituted liquid concentrate, powder, or
ready-to-feed, infant cereal and baby food
fruits and vegetables


9 Months


Interview Questions

How do you like the WIC program? Have
you had any significant problem receiving
your benefits?
How long do you plan to keep your child
enrolled in WIC?

WIC isn’t just for pregnant moms and
babies. Eligible children can receive WIC
benefits until the age of 5.
WIC saves your family money.
WIC provides nutritious foods your child
needs.
WIC helps your child’s growth and
development.
WIC connects you to other services,
providers, and resources.
WIC provides free counseling and advice.
1 Year
Interview Questions
14


Have you re-certified your child in WIC?
Do you need a WIC certification form
completed at today’s visit? Immunization
record?


Have you had any significant problem
receiving your benefits?
What nutrition and feeding topics have you
learned about at WIC?
Anticipatory Guidance
Anticipatory Guidance



Food package for children 1-2 Years: Whole
milk, juice, breakfast cereal, eggs, $8
voucher for fruits and vegetables, whole
grains (whole wheat bread, brown rice, corn
tortillas, etc), and beans or peanut butter.
The amount of 100% juice provided is the
food package is the amount recommended
by the AAP (~ 4 oz per day).
15 Months
Interview Questions



You can re-enroll your child if previously
dropped from program. Many working
families are still eligible for WIC.
WIC provides a lot of the nutritious foods
that are recommended for all toddlers’
growth and development: whole grains,
fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, beans,
eggs, and milk.
WIC staff are specially trained in nutrition
and feeding of young children. They can
answer any questions you.
Are you still participating in WIC?
15
18 Months
Interview Questions


Have you gone for your 18-month follow-up
visit?
Have you had any significant problem
receiving your benefits?





Anticipatory Guidance


You can re-enroll your child if previously
dropped from program. Many working
families are still eligible for WIC.
WIC staff are specially trained in nutrition
and feeding of young children. They can
answer any questions you.
2 Years
Interview Questions
16
Is your child enrolled in WIC?
Have you re-certified your child in WIC?
Do you need a WIC certification form
completed at today’s visit? Immunization
record?
Have you had any significant problem
receiving your benefits?
What nutrition and feeding topics have you
learned about in WIC recently?
Anticipatory Guidance


Children no longer need the added fat in
whole milk which is why WIC provides
lower fat milk after 2 years of age. It helps
lower your child’s risk of obesity.
WIC allows you to choose which fruits and
vegetables you purchase which can help you
if your child displays picky eating behaviors


or you want to expose him to new flavors
from time to time.
WIC staff are specially trained in nutrition
and feeding of young children. They can
answer any questions you.
You can re-enroll your child if previously
dropped from program. Many working
families are still eligible for WIC.
3-4 Years
Interview Questions




Is your child enrolled in WIC
Have you re-certified your child in WIC?
Do you need a WIC certification form
completed at today’s visit? Immunization
record?
Have you had any significant problem
receiving your benefits?

What nutrition and feeding topics have you
learned about in WIC recently?
Anticipatory Guidance
 You can re-enroll your child if previously
dropped from program. Many working
families are still eligible for WIC.
 The nutritious foods that WIC provides can
help your child be ready for learning at
preschool and kindergarten. Having a
healthy breakfast with foods like cereal,
oatmeal, whole wheat toast, eggs and juice
will help your child focus on school day
activities.
 WIC staff are specially trained in nutrition
and feeding of young children. They can
answer any questions you.
17
Screening Tool
What to bring to the WIC Office
Your patient may be eligible for WIC if he/she:
1. Is under the age of 5
2. Has a household income less than (see
table)
Persons in
Household
1
2
3
4
Add’l
Member
18
Annual
$21,257
$28,694
$36,131
$43,568
Monthly
$1,772
$2,392
$3,011
$3,631
Weekly
$409
$552
$695
$838
$7,437
$620
$144





Anyone already receiving benefits
Identification (e.g. Driver’s License or
Photo ID)
Proof of Income
Proof of Current Address
Immunization Record
Note: If patient has an IL Medical Card, no
other documentation is required.
Parent/caregiver still needs to bring child or
children receiving benefit